Solar-Powered Plane Makes Runway Debut 120
Posted
by
timothy
from the endless-summer dept.
from the endless-summer dept.
MikeChino writes "The much-hyped Solar Impulse airplane just completed its first runway test, paving the way for a 20-to-25-day trip around the world next year. Conceived by Bertrand Piccard, the single-pilot plane successfully used its four solar powered motors to taxi around the runway. If all goes according to plan the plane will be able to fly day and night without fuel, signaling a bright future for solar-powered flight."
Re:Better site? (Score:3, Funny)
would have to factor in wind resistance from the giant wings, but that's cross sectional area, I thought, that causes drag, so if you made the wings really thin...
If the weight ratio is too great, you could simply have two planes and suspend the pilot on a line between the wings.
Re:Better site? (Score:4, Funny)
If the weight ratio is too great, you could simply have two planes and suspend the pilot on a line between the wings.
Probably necessary in more northern latitudes such as Europe, but in Africa I reckon one plane could easily carry the pilot.
Re:Commas (Score:3, Funny)
Yes I realised my mistake about one ohnosecond after I posted that.
Re:Better site? (Score:3, Funny)
suspend the pilot on a line between the wings.
What? Held under the dorsal guiding struts?
Re:What are the implications for solar races? (Score:5, Funny)
Well, a plane is just a flying car after all...
Actually, a car is a badly designed plane. Just try driving one off a cliff, and you'll see what I mean.
Re:Commas (Score:4, Funny)
I was in the Louvre looking at the old French crown jewels when I heard someone read the display: "Fifty-four THOUSAND carats!?!?! WOW!"